Mess Hall dedicated to fallen Marines

The Yale Haerter Mess Hall, formerly known as the Wallace Creek Dining Facility, was named after Cpl. Jonathan T. Yale and Lcpl. Jordan C. Haerter, two Purple Heart Medal recipients who lost their lives in Iraq in 2008.

Photo by John Althouse / The Daily News

By Adelina Colbert - Adelina.colbert@JDNews.com

Published: Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 11:32 AM.

Updated at 4:51 p.m.

The legacy of two Marines were immortalized on Thursday during a ceremony that dedicated a dining facility aboard Camp Lejeune in their honor.

The Yale Haerter Mess Hall, formerly known as the Wallace Creek Dining Facility, was named after Cpl. Jonathan T. Yale and Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter, two Purple Heart Medal recipients who lost their lives in Iraq in 2008.

According to Col. Kenneth DeTreux, commanding officer of the 8th Marine Regiment, the pair took post together as sentries on April 22, at the entry point of the outpost of the Joint Security Station in Ramadi.

“Shortly after assuming the post, a large blue tanker truck turned down the alley toward the entry control point, rapidly negotiating the serpentine of concrete barriers,” said DeTreux. “The truck was stopped just short of where the two Marines were posted, killing them both.”

The massive blast from the truck was a result of 2,000 pounds of explosives that had been attached to the tanker, said DeTreux. He added that the explosion destroyed about 24 brick houses nearby and a mosque that was 100 yards away.

Despite the knowing the possible outcome of the situation, DeTreux said the young Marines never wavered.

The legacy of two Marines were immortalized on Thursday during a ceremony that dedicated a dining facility aboard Camp Lejeune in their honor.

The Yale Haerter Mess Hall, formerly known as the Wallace Creek Dining Facility, was named after Cpl. Jonathan T. Yale and Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter, two Purple Heart Medal recipients who lost their lives in Iraq in 2008.

According to Col. Kenneth DeTreux, commanding officer of the 8th Marine Regiment, the pair took post together as sentries on April 22, at the entry point of the outpost of the Joint Security Station in Ramadi.

“Shortly after assuming the post, a large blue tanker truck turned down the alley toward the entry control point, rapidly negotiating the serpentine of concrete barriers,” said DeTreux. “The truck was stopped just short of where the two Marines were posted, killing them both.”

The massive blast from the truck was a result of 2,000 pounds of explosives that had been attached to the tanker, said DeTreux. He added that the explosion destroyed about 24 brick houses nearby and a mosque that was 100 yards away.

Despite the knowing the possible outcome of the situation, DeTreux said the young Marines never wavered.

“Each one of them (witnesses) told the same story of the Marines who stood their ground while the Iraqi policemen ... scattered for cover and safety,” said Detreux.

DeTreux said Yale’s and Haerter’s courage saved numerous lives, including the lives of about 50 Marines and 100 Iraqi police officers stationed at the outpost.

“Two Marines died that day so that others would live,” he said. “In all instantaneous violence, Yale and Haerter never hesitated by all reports and the recording showed that they never stepped back, they never even started to step aside ... they leaned into danger, firing as fast as they could handle their weapon.”

On Thursday, Haerter’s father, Christian, of Sag Harbor, Long Island, returned to Camp Lejeune to witness the dedication of the mess hall in his son’s honor.

“I think just the fact that their heroism is being acknowledged and represented, both Jordan’s and Jonathan’s here on Camp Lejeune, I think is the ultimate honor because they would first and foremost would want to be recognized by their fellow Marines,” said Haerter.

According to Haerter, his son had always wanted to be a member of the nation’s armed forced and eventually answered the call and challenge to being Marine.

“He basically felt that the Marine Corps was the only armed service that really meant more than the others,” he said.

Haerter described his 19-year-old son as witty and humorous but also well-liked.

“He was very, very humble, so all of this ... he just wouldn’t understand this at all,” he said.

Haerter said the dedication meant a lot to his family, but a part of him still longs for his son.

“All the recognition is really nice but it would be nice to have him back though and not have this recognition,” he said. “But the fact that it’s here is quite special to us.”

Yale was assigned to Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, according to his bio. His personal decorations also include a Combat Action Ribbon and the Navy Cross for heroism. According to Haerter’s bio, he was assigned to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. Haerter’s personal decorations also included a Combat Action Ribbon and the Navy Cross for heroism.

The Yale Haerter Dining Hall is located in the Wallace Creek area of Camp Lejeune. The facility is able to accommodate up to 200 Marines at a time, with approximately 2,000 Marines entering its hall a day. It is also the primary dining hall for Marines with the 8th Marine Regiment.

DeTreux hopes that Yale and Haerter’s story will not be forgotten but serve as a source of inspiration for other Marines.

“Naming the Wallace Creek chow hall in the memory of their heroic actions brings a sense of humanity to an otherwise inanimate object, it brings humanity to war and combat,” he said. “The naming and dedication preserves the history and legacy of their actions on the fateful day in Ramadi for the future generations of Marines and sailors who will pass through these doors.”

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The legacy of two Marines were immortalized on Thursday during a ceremony that dedicated a dining facility aboard Camp Lejeune in their honor.

The Yale Haerter Mess Hall, formerly known as the Wallace Creek Dining Facility, was named after Cpl. Jonathan T. Yale and Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter, two Purple Heart Medal recipients who lost their lives in Iraq in 2008.

According to Col. Kenneth DeTreux, commanding officer of the 8th Marine Regiment, the pair took post together as sentries on April 22, at the entry point of the outpost of the Joint Security Station in Ramadi. DeTreux said the outpost billeted about 50 Marines and 100 Iraqi police officers.

“Shortly after assuming the post, a large blue tanker truck turned down the alley toward the entry control point, rapidly negotiating the serpentine of concrete barriers,” said DeTreux. “The truck was stopped just short of where the two Marines were posted, killing them both.”

DeTreux said Yale’s and Haerter’s courage saved the lives of many other Marines and law enforcement officers.

“Two Marines died that day so that others would live,” he said. “In all instantaneous violence, Yale and Haerter never hesitated by all reports and the recording showed that they never stepped back, they never even started to step aside ... they leaned into danger firing as fast as they could their weapon.”

DeTreux hopes that the bravery showed by Yale and Haerter will never be forgotten.

“Naming the Wallace Creek chow hall in the memory of their heroic actions brings a sense of humanity to an otherwise inanimate object, it brings humanity to war and combat,” he said. “The naming and dedication preserves the history and legacy of their actions on the fateful day in Ramadi for the future generations of Marines and sailors who will pass through these doors.”